ANDY Murray announced his imminent retirement due to injury in an emotional press conference on Friday. So why is the Glaswegian tennis star being praised for ‘casual feminism’?

Andy Murray, 31, announced on Friday that 2019’s Wimbledon could be his final tournament. In Friday’s heartbreaking press conference, Andy fought back years as he confirmed he “can’t keep doing this.” Andy was speaking ahead of the Australia Open, which he will compete in, but acknowledged he isn’t at the level he’d like to be as he is continually plagued by a hip injury.

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After the press conference, Andy received an outpouring of support online.

British Prime Minister Theresa May tweeted: “Andy Murray has had a fantastic career and time and time again has made this nation proud. We all hope we can see much more of him playing this year and when he does finish, he will be remembered as one of the best and most successful athletes of his or any generation.”

But while his career was the centre of much attention, many others sought to praise him for something else: his long track record of championing gender equality.

Labour MP Jess Phillips summed it up in her tweet: "Great player, normal bloke, and best of all casual feminist."

US tennis legend Billie Jean King tweeted: “You are a champion on and off the court. So sorry you cannot retire on your own terms, but remember to look to the future. Your greatest impact on the world may be yet to come. Your voice for equality will inspire future generations. Much love to you & your family.”

Andy Murray retirement: Andy received an outpouring of support online (Image: Getty)

Why is he being called a ‘casual feminist’?

The term refers to Andy’s way of regularly pointing out everyday sexism in public.

It started when he appointed a woman, Amelie Mauresmo, as his coach in 2014.

It was a move that resulted in sexist comments from many quarters, including fellow players, and Andy says it turned him into an outspoken feminist.

"Working with Amelie was, for me, because she was the right person for the job, and not a question of her sex at all," he wrote in a BBC column.

"However, it became clear to me that she wasn't always treated the same as men in similar jobs, and so I felt I had to speak out about that."